The Serial lntrapreneur: An exploratory study of repeat intrapreneurs.

Abstract

This paper seeks to understand people who repeatedly act entrepreneurially within organizations, what we have called serial intrapreneurs. Intrapreneurship has been linked to a broad range of innovative activities which increase organizational performance, making intrapreneurs a valuable resource. Mechanisms driving intrapreneurs out of their organizations are well known, but according to our search serial intrapreneurship is not adequately covered in the academic literature. Serial intrapreneurship should be of interest to researchers, businesses, and other organizations, as increasing understanding of the topic has the potential to build and retain a resource central to innovation and performance. Through a range of in-depth interviews of serial intrapreneurs, serial entrepreneurs, and facilitators of intrapreneurship, this study arrives at an inductive model of serial intrapreneurship consisting of four dimensions; Person, Environment, Circumstance and Interplay. The model shows serial intrapreneurs as having major overlaps in personal traits and behaviors with serial entrepreneurs, and that the differences are largely present due to circumstantial and environmental factors, as well as their interplay with the intrapreneur. The paper uncovers key differentiating factors between serial intrapreneurs and other types of entrepreneurs as their increased aptitude and tolerance for navigating the internal politics of their parenting organization, as well as differences in risk tolerance and perception.